Pat Dollard

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Washington (AP) – The director of the controversial loan program that cleared the way for a $535 million taxpayer guarantee to bankrupt solar firm Solyndra is stepping down, the Energy Department confirmed Thursday.

Jonathan Silver, head of the Loan Programs Office, plans to join the organization Third Way as a “distinguished visiting fellow.” The career change comes in the middle of heavy scrutiny from Congress over the department’s handling of the Solyndra agreement. Documents that have emerged over the past month show officials were warned about potential problems with the company as it sought government help.

Republican lawmakers investigating Solyndra said they would continue their probe.

“Mr. Silver’s resignation does not solve the problem,” said Reps. Fred Upton, chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and Cliff Stearns, chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.

“We are in the midst of the Solyndra investigation and just days removed from Mr. Silver’s mad rush to finalize the last $4.7 billion in loans before the statutory deadline,” they said.

The two Republicans accused Obama of changing his tune about the loan guarantee program when he said Thursday for every success story, there may be a failure. On Monday, the president said it was to be expected that one company like Solyndra could fail.

“Does the Obama adminsitration now expect half of these companies will fail?” they said. “American taxpayers are already on the hook for the half billion dollar Solyndra bust — what other shoes does this administration expect to drop?”

Solyndra declared bankruptcy last month and laid off its 1,100 workers in a move that embarrassed the White House after Obama had touted the company as a model for success. The FBI and the GOP-led House Energy and Commerce Committee launched investigations into the company. Despite the firm’s failure, Obama said Thursday the loan guarantee program overall has been successful and has created jobs.